The Signal New Student Orientation Special Edition 2015

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What it means to be a hawk

How to survive your first year

Find out why we’re proud to be hawks

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welcome Letter from the president

Dear UH-Clear Lake Student, Welcome to University of Houston-Clear Lake and the beginning of your next academic endeavor. We look forward to adding you to the UHCL Hawk family as we continue to transform the way we assure your success at the university level and beyond. For more than 40 years, we have sought to provide excellent educational opportunities to the Clear Lake area, and we continue to look for ways to improve upon what we already offer. Since welcoming our first freshman class in fall 2014, we have looked for ways to make your transition to university life an exciting and educational experience.

We continue to be a student-centered university determined to help you be the best you can possibly be in school and beyond. Our objective is to not only help you reach your academic goals, but to also assist you in meeting

your future objectives. You have your own unique personal interests, and we firmly believe that education is the key to a more promising and rewarding future. Just like UHCL’s official mascot, Hunter the Hawk, we want you to soar as the result of your education at UHCL. In addition to the outstanding faculty teaching in nationally accredited academic programs throughout our four schools, our staff offers a variety of academic support services that include the Math Center, Writing Center and the Student Success Center, which can connect you with peer mentors and academic coaches.

Because a student’s education takes place both in and out of the classroom, UHCL urges all to get involved by joining one of more than 80 student organizations and the Student Government Association. Since well-rounded students make the most successful leaders, we also offer opportunities for students to get involved with the community through our Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement program and the annual Day of Service event as well as other programs and activities. As a result of our engagement, for the past five years UHCL has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

We are excited to have you here, and I look forward to shaking your hand and congratulating you in a few years when you cross the stage during the commencement ceremonies. May your time at UHCL be filled with happiness, learning and much success!

Best regards, William A. Staples President

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in this issue

UHCL: Why the Choice is Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The alluring nature of UHCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A brief history of UHCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Legendary alumni continue to soar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Don’t cheat yourself. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 FYI: Four things you can’t get away with at UHCL . . . . . . . . . 5 What it means to be a Hawk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Building a learning community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fun facts about UHCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Don’t miss these fun events and traditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Recreational sports and fitness on campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Get the most out of your college experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 How to choose your major. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 How to survive your first year at UHCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Study personality quiz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Meet the Queues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Going to college in the digital age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Students refuse to let obstacles get in the way. . . . . . . . . . . 19 Attack of the group project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 A veteran’s story. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 From foreign to familiar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 A safe place to land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Where hawks reside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Map of Bayou and Student Services buildings. . . . . . . . . . . 28 Hawktionary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

blogs

How the Student Success Center changed my life Transitioning The balancing act of going back to school

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Sweet & Sour: Rate my professor What it means to be a hawk What do you like about UHCL? Armand Bayou

What it means to be a hawk

A note from the editor-in-chief Dear Reader, While you read this as an incoming student, I’ll be making my way out into the “real world” as an alumna. So many of the people who worked to produce this orientation edition will be alumni by the time you read this – and each one has years of valuable knowledge to share with you.

In the pages to come, you will find all sorts of interesting tidbits and information about the campus and the university. You’ll find hints and advice on how to handle different situations you may encounter. I feel like it’s important to tell you that every word is coming from a student who has done their undergraduate time and has the wisdom to share – it’s a worthy read.

I also feel like it’s important to tell you that all of the greatest advice, funniest inside jokes and most hush-hush campus secrets are hidden in the realm that exists outside of publication.

Those things will never be words that we can pass down to the next generation. Those things are the moments that made this school before you came, the moments that built our undergraduate academic careers. Those things are the lessons you will learn through time and through friendships – things you will have to claim as your own.

I feel like it’s important to point that out because incoming students (ie: you) this year have so much more potential than we ever did. Some of you will have the full four years to build up

any traditions or ideas we’ve left behind. That’s a huge thing at this school, an unprecedented thing before the 2013-2014 academic year. You belong to what is only the second group of incoming students to have so much time and so much potential ahead of them.

When I think about my time at UHCL, I don’t think too much about the classes or the coursework. I think about the limitless opportunities I’ve found here – ones that most likely wouldn’t have existed for me at another university. I think about the sheer number of people I’ve met who have become my role models. I think about the hard moments when real life hit mid-semester, those moments that will end up defining me in the years to come. Mostly, I think about how there isn’t a single moment of my entire time here that I would change.

So here is my super-official, editorial advice to all you young’ns (and the not-so-young’ns, as well): take advantage of the next four years, or three if that’s what you have coming. Jump in head-first. Be an organization-joiner or, even better, an organization-builder. Make new friends and set new goals. Be ambitious, relentless and optimistic – and always take the riskiest option if it has the most promise.

Tiffany Fitzpatrick Editor-in-chief, 2015 Edition New Student Orientation Issue

Orientation and New Student Programs

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Angie Montelongo, Director 281.283.2424 montelongo@uhcl.edu

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The Signal is the official student newspaper for UHCL. It is a digital paper published weekly during the spring and fall semesters. To keep up with events and campus news, download The Signal’s app or read it online at

www.UHCLTheSignal.com.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION ISSUE 2015 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tiffany Fitzpatrick DESIGN EDITORS Sam Savell Sammi Sanders ONLINE EDITOR Abhiruchi Jain SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY MANAGERS Bianca Salinas Eric Yanez PUBLICATION SPECIALIST Lindsay Humphrey DIRECTOR OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS Taleen Washington Address letters to: The Signal Student Publications Office UH-Clear Lake 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Box 456 Houston, TX 77058

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STAFF Shaun Domingues Daniel Durbin Loren Ferguson Max Newlin Yanira Roubi Sherea Cary Manuel Nanez Andrea Thomas Shanea Johnson Baisha Kreuzer Colden Snow Matt Walker Geoffrey Bruder Ericka Freeman Zachery Henry Jeannette Jimenez Raj Sheth Paul Tristan Leena Vuor Leah Won-Morales

Reach the staff: Phone: 281-283-2570 Fax: 281-283-2569 Email: thesignal@uhcl.edu

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UHCL: Why the ‘Choice is Clear’

BY COLDEN SNOW Located in the heart of the Clear Lake community in the greater Houston area, the University of HoustonClear Lake sits on more than 500 acres of sweeping forest landscapes.

The university draws students for many reasons.

Whether you are new to college, a returning student, or transferring from another institution, there are dozens of possible reasons you made the choice to attend UHCL. 91 percent of graduates from UHCL said they would recommend UHCL to friends or family. Here are the top five reasons others have chosen UHCL as their top choice for higher education.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:

UHCL students are taught by faculty with vast backgrounds and experience in their various fields. What students learn at UHCL won’t just end when they graduate, especially when it comes to critical thinking.

“At UH-Clear Lake, because we have excellent faculty and because we have a rigorous academic program and expectation, you’re going to come out with more than a degree, you’re going to come out a critical thinker, which is going to prepare you either for that job or continued education,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students.

CAMPUS SAFETY:

UHCL prides itself on being a safe campus. It is ranked in the top 20 safest campuses by StateUniversity.com. The UHCL Police Department is an internationally accredited law enforcement agency, only 1.3 percent of all campus police departments in the United States have earned accreditation.

In an open forum at a weekly Student Government Association meeting, UHCL Chief of Police Paul Willingham discussed that although crime has risen in the surrounding area, crime has not risen on the UHCL campus. The police department is equipped with both police officers in patrol cars and student employees who serve in a special unit called the Hawk Patrol. Any of the members of the Hawk Patrol, as well as other officers, will accompany students to their car if they have a night class or are on campus late. For any emergency or in the event you need assistance, you can reach the campus police at 281-283-2222 from any phone or dial extension 2222 from any campus phone.

AFFORDABILITY:

On a list of Texas’ 38 public universities, number one being the highest tuition rates paid by students, UHCL ranked 30th for amount paid in tuition by students.

Meaning that students at UHCL are paying lower amounts in tuition than they would at almost all other Texas public universities.

PROXIMITY:

Located in the greater Houston metro area, UHCL is conveniently located between the Houston metropolitan area and Galveston. Students have access to all the city has to offer as well as local nature preserves and the beaches of Galveston. Many apartment complexes are within walking distance to campus.

“It was very important for me to find an institution close by with gas being so expensive these days,” said Jamil Aslam, healthcare administration major. “I wanted to make the smartest financial decision.

NATURE:

UHCL is adjacent to the Armand Bayou nature preserve. With a lush forest landscape, man-made wetland, ponds full of fish, turtles and even the occasional alligator, UHCL students can experience the wonders of nature daily.

Deer are a major staple on campus and sightings of hawks soaring above the Bayou Building are common.

“Something that always makes me smile is seeing a lone hawk on the power lines close to the nature trail,” said Carla Bradley, graduate digital media studies major. “I pretend that it is greeting us on our way to class.”

The alluring nature of UHCL

BY LEAH WON Directly neighboring the Armand Bayou nature preserve, the terrain on UHCL’s campus flourishes in vegetation, woodlands and wildlife, making it one of our university’s most heralded amenities.

The campus grounds are located among the thickets of forest and man-made ponds. Among the lush greenery and waterways are the many different species of animals who thrive co-existing among one another and humankind.

Students and faculty can expect to see deer, squirrels and numerous birds – particularly hawks – on just about any given day. In addition, raccoons, frogs, turtles, fish, squirrels and rabbits, as well as the occasional alligator, snake or bobcat that inhabit the ponds and nature trails along campus grounds.

Moreover, the natural beauty on campus draws in people from the local community who can be seen jogging, biking, skating and hiking past the grounds.

“Our campus has beautiful scenery,” said Jennifer Kirk, communication major. “The school grounds are the perfect hideaway – you can step outside of Arbor Building and feel a world apart from busy life. It almost feels like

a Disney movie with all the different animals around you.”

PRESERVING NATURE

Initiated by UHCL, the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) is located on campus grounds and has been working for over two decades to benefit both humanity and ecology.

The mission statement of EIH is “to advance understanding of the environment through interdisciplinary research, education and outreach.”

Likewise, the EIH is involved in community outreach, education and the development of “realworld” solutions that encompass environmental conservationism.

Student workers with EIH are contributing to efforts in preserving ecology.

“We conduct research to be applied to the management of aquatic ecosystems on the Texas Gulf Coast,” said Mike Lane, environmental biology major.

The EIH website boasts some special features, like a live nestcamera feed to view Purple Marlin birds inside their Marlin House and ways to adopt animals or to fund regional projects such as the upper Galveston Bay bottlenose Dolphin project and the diamond terrapin turtle research project.

EIH is always looking for

volunteers for its many on-going projects like, ‘Volunteer Work Days,’ where volunteers help clear paths, weed beds and dive in to clean the pond at the EIH ‘WaterSmart’ habitat.

ACCESSING NATURE

It’s easy to get out and enjoy nature at UHCL. One can go on a walk through picturesque greenery, jog the scenic turf for exercise, take a hike on a nature trail, or sit on one of the many outdoor benches located throughout campus grounds.

Predatory animals like alligators, bobcats and snakes are spotted occasionally on campus, but campus officials say there is little threat posed to humans by these creatures.

“The last bobcat sighting was in July 2014,” said UHCL Police Chief Paul Willingham. “They tend to be nocturnal and spooked by humans. Most people on campus will never see one. In fact this sighting was only made through surveillance video. As for wolves, never seen or heard of one on campus in my eight years here.”

Overall, Willingham rates the risk of an attack by local wildlife as minimal.

“Most animals leave you alone if you leave them alone,” Willingham said. “If you keep from swimming in the Bayou and stay on the established trails, your risks are very low.”

Debbie Bush, with the Environmental Institute of Houston, confirmed the presence of bobcats on campus but agrees with Willingham that the risks posed to humans is very minimal.

“We do have bobcats on campus,” Bush said. “As a matter of fact, a bobcat family was caught

on camera last summer. We do not have wolves on campus. In fact, there are no wild wolves in the state of Texas since the 1970s.”

Another simple way to enjoy nature is to take advantage of one of the many picnic tables or benches located outdoors for meals. Or plan ahead and pack a blanket to have a good old-fashioned picnic. Just be careful not to feed the squirrels, as most all human food is toxic to their health.

Be sure to keep a watch out for the many local raccoons, especially the one who has been sighted on numerous occasions in the Patio Café’s trashcan. Wild animals are essentially ‘wild,’ and while it is tempting to try to hand feed or pet them, it is important to respect nature and keep a safe distance from wild animal life. This applies to the many deer roaming around the campus parking lots as well.

In addition, there are many clubs on campus that get people out-and-about enjoying nature with like-minded individuals.

Among the many outdoororiented student organizations are: Running Outdoors Walking Adventures, Cycle Club, Health and Wellness Club, Hawk Futbol Club, and Cricket Club.

Students who take the time to capture the essence of nature on campus enjoy their surroundings and take notice of the inhabitants up in the air.

“The tree next to the Patio Café has a hawk bird nest, and they’re always in the same area,” said Braulio Vargus, biology major. “They really bring out the spirit of UHCL.”

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about uhcl

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A brief history of UHCL: Paving the way for a brighter future area and the Manned Spacecraft Center, now NASA-Johnson Space Center.

Robert Gilruth, director of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center, recognized a need for higher education classes in the Clear Lake area to support the requirements of the center. Members of the community also expressed a desire for a facility of higher education closer to home than the commute to the University of Houston main campus.

In response to the requests, Philip Hoffman, University of Houston president, opened the Graduate Center at NASA in 1964. That fall, with more than 500 students enrolled, it was clear that they had tapped into something with great potential.

In subsequent years, Hoffman led local business and community leaders in fundraising activities and launched legislative efforts to have UH/CLC officially recognized as an independent university, which happened in 1971.

Next, Hoffman began searching for quality individuals to bring on board as professors and administrators.

In 1972 Hoffman appointed Alfred Neumann as UH/CLC’s first chancellor. Neumann sought to differ UH/CLC’s educational structure from the main campus, with an emphasis on providing a more personal touch to the feel of the school.

Jonathan Zophy, UHCL professor of history, notes in his book “Building a University: A History of the University of Houston-Clear Lake 1974 to Present,” that school leaders wanted to “arrange space so that administration, faculty, staff and students have maximum contact with each other.”

“The personal feel of UHCL came first and foremost from our many small classes,” said David Malin, professor of psychology and neuroscience and charter faculty THE SIGNAL ARCHIVES member. “For many of the returning students, this was the first time they UHCL charter members. Back Row: Nanette Bruckner, Jib Fowles, Grover were able to really know their profesStarling, Tom McFaul. Middle Row: Jaye Miller, Rosemary Pledger, Jim Coomsors. For the early faculty, the family er, Chris DeDe, Kim Hill, Calvin Cannon, Jim Bowman, Lester Sartorious, feeling came in part from the many Bob Toplin and Norm Weed.

BY MANUEL NANEZ The University of Houston-Clear Lake, as we know it, officially began in the fall of 1974. However, the school’s origins date back a bit earlier. The university’s original name was the University of Houston at Clear Lake City (UH/CLC).

In the mid 1970s the city of Clear Lake City ceased to exist and UH/CLC shortened its name to University of Houston-Clear Lake. The area that used to be Clear Lake City was annexed by the cities of Houston and Pasadena.

UH/CLC sprang from the needs of industries in the

social events organized by the UHCL Women’s Association. Faculty from all four schools got to know one another at these parties and receptions.”

The charter faculty all assumed the risk that accompanied joining an organization at the ground floor, not knowing what the ultimate outcome would be.

“We loved the challenge of offering a rigorous liberal arts education to all comers, not just to the ‘elite,’” said John Gorman, retired professor of literature and charter faculty member. “I’d had no idea what sort of suburbia was growing up around NASA. There were people of all ages, all backgrounds, many with wide ranges of experience and an admirable intellectual sophistication.”

Most of the university’s newly hired charter faculty was young.

“I recall that during the first semester someone calculated that the average age of the students was slightly higher than the average age of the faculty,” Malin said.

Throughout the years as the university has flourished, so too has its family of alumni.

“One of the amazing and affirming revelations that come from the stories of our alumni is that getting an education at UHCL offers a world of opportunities,” said Dion McInnis, retired associate vice president of University Advancement. “From the 56,000-plus alumni, we hear many stories from poets and doctors, artists and lawyers, entrepreneurs and inventors, and so much more. Because of the university’s focus on connections to the community, the UHCL experience is practical and practicable, enabling students to utilize their educational experiences immediately.”

UHCL continues to grow and thrive. In the fall of 2014, UHCL became a four-year institution offering freshman and sophomore-level courses for the first time.

“As we move into our second academic year as a four-year university, we welcome all our new students, including our second freshman class, transfer and graduate students,” said UHCL President William A. Staples.

“We are very pleased that you have decided to continue your education at UH-Clear Lake. Our top priority is the success of our students. We provide high quality academic programs and student services to meet the needs of our students. We believe strongly in learning both inside and outside the classroom through a variety of activities including student government, leadership, research, and community service. Our hope for you is success at UHCL which will lead to future success in your chosen career and in life.

Best wishes for a great year! Go HAWKS!”

Legendary alumni continue to soar and outside the classroom and students have the opportunity to learn lifelong skills including leadership, communication and critical thinking in addition to the subject matter of their chosen major field of study. As graduates of UHCL, we want our alumni to be role models in their professions and communities and to maintain their connection to UHCL.”

The Office of University Advancement provides guidance to the university in the areas of development, alumni and community relations.

Bayou 1604 281.283.2021 universityadvancement@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/advancement

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of all the plaques that honor the Legendary Alumni, explained the goal for the future of the school is helping a student succeed one step at a time.

“The level of education you get at UHCL is only determined by your desire to learn,” McInnis said. “As UHCL becomes a four-year college, it will continue its roots as a school for anyone, regardless of age or background, looking to further their education.

Because of the mix of students at our university, you are not just experiencing a diversity based on age or ethnicity, but a true diversity in the classroom because you encounter people that are just beginning school, are at different stages in a career or are looking for a completely new career.”

UHCL President William Staples said the university strives to provide a learning environment that will produce valuable individuals to the community.

“Students need to have the determination and perseverance to attain a college degree,” Staples said. “Learning occurs both inside

us

M.A. in science alumnus, started a program to provide medical care to children in third world countries and helped form UHCL’s Healthcare Administration program.

Started in 1981 by founding president Michael Reeves, the UHCL Alumni Association is now more than 50,000 members strong and prepares to become even stronger with UHCL’s transformation to a four-year university.

When entering UHCL, new students should almost immediately get a sense of the faculty and staff’s overall determination to help students reach their full potential.

At other schools, where a class may have upward of 300 students, a student is often asked to look at the person on each side of him/her and told that one of those people will not graduate. That is not the philosophy at UHCL. Retired Associate Vice President of University Advancement Dion McInnis, whose office sat in the middle

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BY MAX NEWLIN If you want to be impressed and inspired each time you walk through the door at UHCL, you need only take a walk around the first floor of the Bayou Building.

There you will see the names and faces of distinguished individuals who graduated from UHCL. The wall of Distinguished Alumni consists of an array of legendary alumni from different backgrounds and professions – from the medical field all the way to the farthest reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Story Musgrave, who received a master’s degree in literature from UHCL in 1987, is a retired NASA astronaut who was on the shuttle mission that repaired the mirror on the Hubble Telescope, which allowed for detailed pictures to be taken from the edges of the universe.

Janet Pepperday, 1985 M.A. in education alumna, is an awardwinning educator and supporter of programs that aid children with special needs.

Raymond Khoury, 1980

University Advancement

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Don’t cheat yourself

BY MATT WALKER The effects of plagiarism on students are not that much different from any other bad habit because it can lead to one’s ultimate downfall. Viewed this way, it just does not pay off in the long run.

Plagiarism is viewed by some as a comparative type of sin – such as pick pocketing someone’s wallet versus armed robbery. By this type of comparison, it may not seem so bad, yet it is stealing nonetheless.

The word plagiarism has evolved from the Latin word plagiarius, meaning “kidnapper,” to today’s usage in referring to theft of intellectual work.

“A lot of people do it,” said Gabrielle Gonzales, sociology major. “[Students cheat] because they’re not prepared. If they took the time to prepare, they would not have a problem.”

Abhi Thakral, engineering management major, agreed and said that committing plagiarism was not fair to other students.

“I think it’s important not to plagiarize because people copy stuff for an easy grade,” Thakral said. “I think barriers to that sort of practice are important.”

Barriers against plagiarism at UHCL include getting a grade of zero for the assignment or the course if the student is found guilty of using research without citation or using a created work without crediting the source.

“Students need to hold each other accountable,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students. “Students need to hear from their peers that cheating is not OK, that it won’t be tolerated within the peer group and that they will hold each other to task for dishonesty.”

The effects of plagiarism on

Dean of Students The Dean of Students Office serves as the “Central Hub” of campus for all student-related issues. The dean serves as an advocate and liason for students as well as assisting faculty, staff and parents when needed.

deanofstudents@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/deanofstudents

SSCB 1.201 281.283.2567

students can be habit-forming and can create an alternate personality that only surfaces during crunch time, such as when a term paper is due. If the student resorts to plagiarism and initially gets away with it, then the student’s self-perception can ultimately corrupt a personal outlook on life well past college graduation.

“Academic honesty is about respect,” Rachita said. “Dishonesty shows a lack of respect and appreciation for others and for yourself. We all want to be respected. Honor, character and excellence all lead to respect.

But you cannot be respected if you don’t have any one of these characteristics. And you cannot be seen to have honor or character or excellence if you cannot be trusted.”

UHCL Academic Honesty Code I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.

campus culture

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FYI: Four things you can’t get away with at UHCL

BY BAISHA KREUZER

Not Buying Parking Tags Do not put off purchasing your parking permit. You have two weeks after the first day of class to purchase your permit online through the UHCL Parking Department. Once the two weeks are up, there is a stiff fine each and every day you are parked in a UHCL lot without a tag. Also, be mindful not to park in the faculty parking lot. Visit http://uhclparking.t2hosted.com to purchase parking permits, pay fines and appeal tickets.

Committing Plagiarism Don’t do it. You have been taught this your whole life. If you try plagiarism at the university level, you can experience one or all of the following options: failure of the class, appearance before the Academic Honesty Board or expulsion from the university.

Skipping Class or Not Doing Your Homework You have decided as an adult to further your education, and the choice to learn resides solely with you and not the teacher.

Therefore, you should show up to class, especially the first day.

Your professor outlines the entire semester in the first class, so don’t miss it!

Not Becoming Your Own Self-advocate Be on top of your business with the school, not your parents. Make sure you know all information regarding financial aide, transcript transfers, parking permits, etc. Start early to learn how to navigate your way through the system.

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What it means to be a Hawk

BY SHAWN DOMINGUES Soaring high above the beautiful landscape below, red-tailed hawks are frequently spotted throughout the UHCL campus. With their keen powers of observation and their intense focus on the task at hand, the hawk symbolizes a student body that is focused, has a clear vision of its direction ahead and is ready to soar.

Animal totems are often used to signify an emblem for a group of people. The hawk totem is said to represent vision and inspire a creative life purpose. The choice of this magnificent animal as the emblem for UHCL was a clear one.

In fall 2010, UHCL’s Mascot Leadership Team began a five-phase mascot search process that involved getting input from faculty, staff, students and alumni through a series of surveys conducted throughout the year. The survey results can be found on the UHCL mascot’s website www.uhcl.edu/mascot, where the rationale for choosing the hawk was given anonymously, a few of which are listed below: “Hawks are keen, swift and a bird of opportunity;” “The hawk is a visionary, much like the best of UHCL;” and “Hawks are watchful, with sharp senses. They are hunters and flyers with a decisive self-possession that any person would do well to emulate.”

So what does it mean to be a Hawk at UHCL? “A hawk, as an animal, is adventuresome, dynamic and spirited, and that’s really what we want the UHCL students to be,” said President William Staples. “As a UHCL Hawk, we want them to soar as a result of their education here.”

“I think to be a UHCL Hawk means that you can soar to new heights and achieve your dreams and goals beyond what you can

Go Online!

Scan the QR Code to access blogs

by Eric Yanez and Bianca Salinas on “What it means to be a Hawk.”

Student Assistance Center HAWKS HELPING HAWKS

The Student Assistance Center provides support and general information to students, faculty, staff and the UHCL community.

imagine,” said Darlene Biggers, associate vice president of student services. “We, the faculty and staff, will be the wind beneath your wings.”

“Being a Hawk means you are a college student,” said David Rachita, interim dean of students. “One that is dedicated to scholastic achievement, being academically challenged, learning to be a critical thinker and being a serious student. It means working hard. And it means doing it ‘The Hawk Way: Honor, Character and Excellence.’”

Like the red-tailed hawks that can be seen soaring high above the campus, the students of UHCL are able to ascend to new heights with a clear vision and purpose, ready to take the lead when the time is right – soaring on to the future ahead.

“As a UHCL Hawk, we want them to soar as a result of their education here.”

– WILLIAM STAPLES PRESIDENT OF UHCL

UHCL-Pearland Student Services Student Services Available:

• Advocacy and assistance with resolving complex issues • Disability accommodations and testing area • Personal one-on-one counseling services • Career Services: resume critiques, job search, etc.

• Writing Center and Student Success Center tutoring • Information about upcoming programs and events 1200 Pearland Parkway, P152 281.212.1679 sspearland@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/pearland

SSCB 1.102 281.283.2SAC (2722) uhclsac@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/deanofstudents

Building a

Learning Community

BY JEANNETTE JIMENEZ All freshmen are required to take a first-year experience course, PSYC 1100-Learning Frameworks, also known as the First Year Seminar Program. This class has been designed to assist students in developing collegelevel skills while adapting to a university environment.

Learning Frameworks is structured so that students are able to connect with peers at an early stage in college and establish contacts and friendships. Director of the First Year Seminar Wanalee Romero believes this course allows students to learn in a less overwhelming setting.

“The Learning Frameworks sections are intentionally capped for low enrollment – 25 students – for the students to learn in a more intimate environment,” Romero said. “Lessons and assignments are often interactive or completed in groups of 2-5 students to acclimate the freshman to engaged conversation in a less intimidating space.”

The course works by simultaneously placing students in the same history or political science course during their first semester.

For example, students enrolled in the same Learning Frameworks class are automatically registered for either history or political science with the same group of students.

“Each section of Learning Frameworks is yoked to a co-requisite course in history or political science,” Romero said. “That means that scholars in the same section will also see each other in another class in which they will discuss many of the same topics and practice the skills, critical reading, thinking and discussing — that they are honing in Learning Frameworks.”

Freshman Jorge Vicuna believes that the close-knit class helped him feel comfortable learning and expressing himself in the classroom.

Go Online!

“One thing that I liked about this class is that it’s small,” Vicuna said. “Dr. Romero has the ability to communicate with us in a way that we have that confidence, and we are not afraid to speak our mind. It is a learning environment where we can express our opinions without being criticized, and there is no right or wrong answer.”

Professors teaching the history and political science courses work closely with the First Year Seminar Program so that several assignments in Learning Frameworks link directly with their courses. This structure allows students to directly apply the skills they learn in Learning Frameworks to their studies.

In the Learning Frameworks course, professors frequently discuss the requirements for college-level study. Students practice skills such as reading for significance, critical thinking and other practical skills that professors will demand in other courses.

“The expectations and the way the teacher teaches helped us think as college students, not only as amateurs and it helped us a lot to understand,” Vicuna said.

The activities we did in class and the tools the professor provided us helped us.”

A U.S. News study published in 2013 states that as many as 1 in 3 first-year college students won’t make it back for sophomore year, and one of the reasons can be traced to academic stress.

Learning Frameworks course was developed to help first-year college students stay in school.

“Many students arrive on campus unprepared for the level of thought, responsibility, and ownership demanded from a successful university student,” Romero said. “Learning Frameworks is a space where students can think about expectations and master the skills necessary for them to finish their degrees.”

Scan the QR Code to watch a video by Paul Tristan, “What do you like about UHCL?”

Fun Facts About UHCL

BY SHAWN DOMINGUES • UHCL began as a Graduate Center at NASA in 1964.

• Circling the earth 145 times, the UHCL flag was flown aboard the space shuttle “Columbia” in 1983 – the flag is now housed in the UHCL archives located on the third floor of the Alfred R. Neumann Library.

• Archives from the Johnson Space Center are housed in the Neumann Library.

• The library was named after UHCL’s first chancellor, Alfred R. Neumann.

• The UHCL campus is located on a wildlife and nature preserve with a wetlands area on campus adjacent to Horsepen Bayou.

• The first building built on campus was the Arbor Building, which now houses the art department and education classes. The original name of the Arbor Building was the Vanguard Building.

• The Bayou Building was designed to resemble the Houston Galleria Shopping Center – it has been said that this design was intentional so the building could be easily converted into a shopping mall if the university failed.

• Although UHCL is part of the University of Houston System, it is not a branch campus; it is a separate and distinct institution with its own administration, degree plans, academic programs and accreditation. Because of this distinction, UHCL has strived to define its own identity.

• The official school colors are blue and green – a representation of the natural elements that surround the campus.

• The current logo was created in 1994 to symbolize the dual nature of UHCL (professional yet personal) with a wavy line going through it to represent the bayou that winds through campus.

• The official mascot was chosen through a series of extensive surveys and input from faculty, staff, alumni and the student body with the “Hawks” beating out the “Egrets” as the final choice.

• Earlier potential mascot names included the Redshouldered Hawks in the 1980s and the Hurricanes or Voyagers in 1990s.

• UHCL is a four-time recipient of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to voluntary service and civic engagement.

• The original name of the student newspaper at UHCL was the UHCLIDIAN. The name, chosen from entries submitted by UHCL students, is a word play combining the acronym UHCL and Euclid, a famous Greek mathematician. The newspaper’s name was changed to The Signal in 2007.

campus life

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Don’t miss these fun UHCL events and traditions

Meet your

Welcome Back Bash

classmates,

Every fall semester, in September,Welcome Back Bash hosts a welcome week of kick off events for all new students, alumni, families, and the UHCL community.

Welcome Back Bash activities include: DJ and music, photobooth, vendors, free food, refreshments, giveaways, volunteer opportunities and student organization booths.

network

& get more out of college life.

Rhet Fest

To honor the National Day of Writing, each February the UHCL Writing Center hosts a festival devoted to writing, literature, and word play.

Film and Speaker Series

Student Organization Expo

UHCL Student Life hosts an assortment of culturally diverse films accompanied by knowledgeable guest spearkers throughout each semester.

Find out how you can get involved on campus by attending the Student Organization Expo at the beginning of each fall and spring semester.

UHCL Art Gallery

I Heart UHCL Day

Features amazing exhibition throughout the year!

Admission is always free.

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 9am - 6pm Friday: 9am - Noon Closed on weekends, university holidays, and during exhibition installations.

Join in as the campus celebrates Spirit Week, including “I Heart UHCL” Day, each year in October.

Cultural Extravaganza See performances from UHCL students representing a variety of countries and cultures that make up our community every spring semester.

Student Leadership Conference

Be inspired by our keynote speaker, participate in a variety of interest sessions that expire the many facets of leadership, and unlock your inner success.

Global Expo

Occuring each fall semester, students show their pride in native cultures, traditions and customs from around the globe. Enjoy native clothing, artifacts, music, food and more!

These are just a few of the events that happen on campus. There are a variety of events year-round, so you will easily find something that interest you.

Show your school pride by wearing blue and green every Wednesday for Spirit Day!

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campus life

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Recreational sports and fitness on campus

BY RAJ SHETH While it is true the UHCL “Hawks” have no collegiate sports teams to cheer for, or at least not yet, the campus does have recreational sports and a fitness center as part of the Campus Recreation program.

Campus Recreation covers multiple sports and activities including a fitness room and one-day tournaments. They also offer personal training, which is available to students at a discounted price.

The types of sports tournaments included in recreational sports are 3v3 basketball, flag football, single table tennis, dodgeball, kickball, bingo and National Walking Day. “I think it’s very beneficial to get other people involved into the school activities, and since we don’t have a football team or a basketball team, this would be a great opportunity for us to play some competitive basketball with some of our fellow students here,” said Mohammad Elahidoust, accounting major and participant of 3v3 basketball tournament. “It might be from other schools, like School of Business, School of Human Sciences or Education, and we can just get to know each other and have a good time playing basketball.”

The Fitness Center, located on the second floor of the Student Services and Classroom Building, includes multiple types of workout equipment ranging from treadmills, elliptical machines, basic weight machines and dumbbells. The Fitness Center is free to join for students and $30 per semester or $75 a year for faculty. The Fitness Center is open Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

“One of the things I like about exercising is that it keeps your heart healthy, your muscles are growing, and it’s just a healthy thing to do,” said Jorge Vicuna Ortega, Fitness Center front desk receptionist. “One hour of exercise could improve your lifestyle,

and it could also work on your cardio.”

Although UHCL does not offer collegiate sports, that doesn’t mean it never will.

UHCL does not have collegiate sports because “NCAA and athletics, that’s a whole nother beast,” said Tabitha Tipton, assistant director of student life-recreation and fitness.

“I say that because of Title IX, there’s a lot of compliance that goes into that [collegiate sports], it’s just a bare budget,” Tipton said. “Its something that we don’t have the facility for first off, but the students would definitely have to push for that, and then get President Staples on board. It’s a bigger thing than something that I could just push out.”

To have collegiate sports and athletics on campus, the funding has to be in place as well as specific facilities, such as training rooms, and necessary staff, such as athletic directors and a head sports medicine trainer.

In the meantime, Campus Recreation has plans to expand its recreational sports to include intramural sports.

“We are working on growing our intramural program so that we can actually have a league,” Tipton said. “We’re not there yet, but we are working on that. That’s the next really big push that we’re doing over the summer and even this fall; we have our schedule set, and it’s only going to get bigger from here.”

There are plans in place to build a new recreation sports facility, which would be a new building dedicated to Campus Recreation and the talk of what it could include is a indoor basketball court, indoor track, weight room, cardio room, and basically whatever students want.

“Within the next couple of years, if everything goes according to plan, doors at the new facility would open,” Tipton said. “It’d be a great step up.”

For more information on campus recreation and the Fitness Center, visit www.uhcl. edu/campusrecreation.

UHCL STUDENT LIFE

James Wallace, left, and Trieu Nguyen, right, participate in a game of flag football.

UHCL STUDENT LIFE

Students and staff kayak along Armand Bayou.

UHCL STUDENT LIFE

Danielle Urias competes in the Singles Table Tennis Tournament.

UHCL STUDENT LIFE

David Oliva and Luis Verduzco play a game of 3-on-3 Basketball.

Campus Recreation & Fitness Center Campus Recreation offers recreational sports and a fitness center with aerobic and weight training machines to get you into shape.

Mondays - Thursdays: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Fridays: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sundays: Closed

SSCB 2.103 281.283.2410 campusrecreation@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/campusrecreation

UHCL STUDENT LIFE

Andrew Whittington attempts to score in a game of soccer.

campus life Get the most out of your college experience

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Get

connected

BY SHEREA CARY Attending college without getting involved and connected through student activities is like having a cell phone with two bars of signal strength – a call can be made, but the quality is not good.

Getting connected at UHCL helps students get the most out of their college experience. Involvement in student activities provides everything students need to prepare for a career, build a network of friends and have fun too.

Networking and socializing with others is essential to the process of getting connected. Leadership and team building skills learned and exhibited in college will catch the eye of potential employers, giving students an edge over competitors. Getting connected enables students to network with other students and create a support group that can last a lifetime.

The Office of Student Life is like a power strip with multiple outlets for students to use to get connected. In addition to cultural arts events, Student Life coordinates more than 80 student organizations on campus. The Student Organization Expo is held biannually at the beginning of each long semester where students get the opportunity to learn about various student organizations and meet students already connected.

The Student Government Association (SGA) represents the interest of students at large and has four purposes: advocate on behalf of the student body; provide input to the UHCL administration; elect students to UHCL committees; and allocate funds to student organizations. SGA is made up of an elected Executive Counsel and representatives from all recognized student organizations. Students gain leadership, project management skills and team building skills through SGA participation. SGA meetings are held every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the SSCB Lecture Hall. All students are welcome to attend.

Student Life is also the home of SLICE, (Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement), a program designed to develop and improve student leadership skills. SLICE provides a place for students to connect with the community through volunteer projects. Speakers and leadership conferences for students are also part of the SLICE program and are free of charge to UHCL students.

“Getting involved is an investment in yourself,” said Jennifer Clark, assistant director of student life.

Clark suggests students get involved early to gain valuable leadership skills and build relationships, but points out it is never too late to get connected.

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Learn to lead Work smart CARLA’S STORY

BY SHEREA CARY Carla Bradley, digital media studies graduate student and former Student Government Association president, is an example of what can happen when a student gets involved.

Carla describes herself as someone who was cautious about getting connected in campus life.

She started by first signing up to receive emails from the Communication and Digital Media Association (CDMA), one of the student organizations on campus, at the urging of a faculty member.

After attending CDMA meetings and participating in some organization events, Carla decided she would make time to serve as an officer in the association. Her role as an officer gave Carla confidence to ask for and receive more responsibilities, including serving as editor of two UHCL student publications, “Bayousphere” and “The Signal Relay.”

As a graduate student, Carla realized that she had managed responsibilities as a leader well and became the Student Government Association (SGA) representative for CDMA. Attending SGA meetings and becoming recognized as a dependable, competent volunteer for campus events lead others to recruit Carla to serve in other positions – eventually resulting in Carla running for president of SGA. Carla offers the following tips to students considering getting connected: 1. Don’t over extend yourself – select a couple of activities and do a good job.

2. Learn and practice leadership skills through student activities.

3. If mistakes are made while learning to lead, this is the place to make them.

“It might sound cliché but being involved on campus has opened many doors for me here at UHCL,” Carla said. “I originally saw these opportunities as great ways to network with students outside of my concentrations (Communication and Digital Media Studies). My volunteer work allowed me to meet faculty, staff and administrators like Dr. Biggers, Dr. Stockton and, especially, Dr. Staples. I have become more open minded, more accepting of other cultures different than my own, as well as I have the confidence to ask questions and represent a large group of people.”

Connecting academically and socially through student activities is like plugging a cell phone into an electrical outlet. As the battery gets more power, the user gets better reception.

Student Government Association

& study smart

BY SHEREA CARY Graduating college and good grades are no longer enough in the global marketplace. In addition to completing the academic requirements, employers like to know that you can do more than keep your head in the books. Prospective employers want real-life examples of your ability to do more than go to school.

Right about now you may be saying to yourself, “I have no more room on my ‘TO DO’ list. I am already out of time with a job and school work.”

Working smart is the answer.

Working smart is using school work, involvement in student activities, community service and campus resources to make the most of your time at UHCL while preparing for life after college. Using your school assignments to work smart is easy.

For example, taking a Web design or photography course? Select subject matter that can be used in your field as an example of your work. Once your assignments are graded, make corrections and now you have samples of your work for any potential employer to review when applying for a job or when networking with friends.

Do you want to be a leader at your job or in the community during or after college? Start with student government, student organizations, or community service. Getting involved and serving in student organizations provides an excellent opportunity to develop leadership and team building skills. Involvement in student activities, campus organizations or community service creates friendships and builds networks – another way to work smart.

An internship is another way to work smart.

An internship connects you with people in the field you plan to enter and gives you a chance to demonstrate your knowledge and the skills garnered in college. Don’t have a job? Career Services and Jobs4Hawks, the school job bank, can help you.

Resume review and assistance services are offered in addition to mock job interviews.

Working smart is the way to go when preparing for life after college while you’re still in college.

Student Life Office Andrew Reitberger Acting Director of Student Life and SGA Adviser Reitberger@uhcl.edu Patrick Cardenas Coordinator of Student Organizations Cardenas@uhcl.edu Jennifer Clark Assistant Director of Student Life Clarkjen@uhcl.edu

Governance. Outreach.

Advocacy. Leadership.

SSCB 1.204 Phone: 281.283.2560 Fax: 281.283.2566 studentlife@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/studentlife

SSCB 1.205 281.283.2556 sga@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/studentlife

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Presenting YOUR Library: ALFRED R. NEUMANN LIBRARY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE 80,000 Electronic Journals ½ Million Printed Volumes √√ In Person √√ By Phone √√ Email or Text STUDY AREAS Public Computers BYOD Tables Group Study Rooms Sound-proofed Quiet Study Room Collaboration Areas WWW.UHCL.EDU/LIBRARY Bayou Building, Room 2404, 2nd Floor Hours & Circultaion Desk: 281-283-3900

Research Consultation Desk: 281-283-3910 Administrative Offices: 281-283-3930

w w w.U H C LT h e S i g n a l N S O.c o m

“When am I ever going to use math?”

Economists solve systems of equations to determine the pricing of goods and services. Psychologists use statistics to help model data gathered from experiments.

Physicists use calculus to model the behavior of objects. Computer scientists use graph theory and logic to help develop computer software. Financial Analysts use advanced statistics to help companies determine how to invest capital. Cryptanalysts use prime numbers and abstract algebra to break codes. Electrical Engineers use abstract algebra when designing A.I. for robots. Nurses need to use algebra to calculate dosages and calculate IV drip rates. Police officers calculate physics equations to aid in accident reconstruction.

Attorneys apply logical reasoning and theory to help win cases in court. Pipefitting and welding use trigonometry to calculate angles and lengths. Actuarial Scientists use statistics to accurately price insurance.

While you might not “solve for x” during your future career, doing well in mathematics can greatly improve skills such as critical thinking, abstraction, logic, and creativity.

Math isn’t just about the numbers.

It’s about making you a better problem solver for any walk of life.

Bayou 2127 | uhcl.edu/mathcenter | youtube.com/uhclmathcenter

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campus services

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Academic Advising

Career Services

Academic Advising can help new students accomplish:

Career Services offers a variety of programs and services including:

• Evaluation of student transcripts • Assistance with course selections • Accurate information on degree plans and requirements • Audit of Candidate Plan of Study to determine progress advisingcenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/advising

• Career Counseling & Assessments • Mock Interviews • Cover Letter & Resume Assistance • On-Campus Interviews

uhclcareerservices@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/careerservices

SSCB 3.109 281.283.2590

How to choose your major

Compeueterirng Engin Chemistr

y

A minor step to a major decision

BY ERICKA FREEMAN

CHOOSING A MAJOR

ntal e m n o r i v En Science

Physics

Mathceiemnactiecal S Biological Scien

ce

rmation o f In r te u p Com System

Program Informat

ion

r Compute Science Teacher Education

Counseling MS

Special Education

Information Science MS

Early Childhood Education MS Reading

Bayou 1408 281.283.3082

• Job Fairs • Workshops • Career Events • Jobs4Hawks

MS

Multicult ura Studies i l n Educatio n

Determining a major is a very important process that is necessary for a successful future.

Selecting a major can be stressful, and it can potentially be a mental and emotional imprisonment if chosen incorrectly. Your major is the foundation of your future, and should be chosen after serious research and careful consideration.

UHCL has resources available to help minimize the stress and to make choosing a major less complicated. The University Academic Advising Center (UAAC) offers advisers to guide you through the process of exploring various majors.

“Since choosing a major is a decision making process, it does require some thought and research,” said Mary Ramos, executive director of the university academic advising center. “Students may want to know about the pay, the duties and tasks, the work environment, how much education is needed and if additional licenses and certifications are required.”

In addition, the Office of Career Services is a campus resource available to help you discover your interests, values, personality preferences and strengths. Discovering these characteristics correlate with choosing a major. Focus II is a system consisting of a series of assessments that identify your work interests. It then correlates those interests with job clusters, which direct you to actual majors offered at UHCL. “It is never too early to come in, to assess, and develop a career plan,” said Charles Crocker, director of career services. “It depends on the individual and whether he/she is motivated that determines when he/she should choose a major. I think it’s good to begin the process at some point in your freshman year. You may need to do some research and talk to some people, and that takes time.”

The Focus II system is free to students; however, there are other tests and also career discovery workshops that are beneficial but have small fees associated with them. These fees are small investments for a greater return.

The choice is yours to make. Utilize the resources offered here at UHCL to help you make an informed decision. Time is money, and time saves money. Remember the seeds you plant today will determine the fruit you produce tomorrow.

CHOOSING A MINOR

This academic school year, 2015-2016, marks the first year UHCL incorporates minors into its curricula. What does this mean for you? In addition to you choosing a major, you also have the

option to choose a minor.

A minor is a secondary field of study declared as part of your undergraduate degree plan. You can receive credit for the minor by completing a Minor Declaration Form and 15 hours in the minor field. The catch is you must decide and declare your minor before completing 90 hours toward your major. If you are interested in declaring a minor, you should see your academic adviser or your faculty adviser for the Minor Declaration Form and detailed information. General information is also available on the UHCL website’s homepage, under the Academics tab. How do you choose a minor? I am glad you asked.

Students choose minors for various reasons.

Some students choose minors as a hobby or to explore personal interest. They think of it as something fun to do that offers an escape from the serious coursework associated with their major degree plan. Other students see a minor as an opportunity to improve a skill or add to their resume.

Whatever the reason, if chosen carefully, a minor can be beneficial.

“After you know the direction you want to go with your major, it is wise to choose a minor,” Crocker said. “A minor should be strategically chosen to compliment the chosen career path you are going to pursue. A good minor can add value to you and make you more marketable.”

Ramos agrees that a minor can be beneficial if you can fit it into your degree plan.

“Minors provide students with opportunities to prep for additional certifications, to expand job prospects and study areas related to the career,” Ramos said.

It is not mandatory or critical that you choose a minor; however, the option is available to you.

Not every student decides to include a minor, but if you do the minor chosen should benefit you.

Pursuing Your Undergraduate Degree Obtaining a college degree is a major step for you. You should utilize all the resources available to ensure your college experience is a successful one. In addition to earning your degree, to be successful, Crocker suggests you learn how to be a professional and what that means. UHCL has an Office of Career Services that can assist you with this; furthermore, Ramos adds that you should be an advocate for yourself, and take responsibility for your learning experience.

Remember choosing the right major is the foundation for your future, and adding a minor can strengthen the foundation and make it more durable. A minor step today helps to make a major decision tomorrow.

Social Work

n o i t a c i n u m m o C Humanit

ies

uman H & s Fitnes formance Per Literatu

re

e uP blicdSeersrvhiicp Lea Women’s S

tudies

y

Sociolog

Environmental Management Legal Studies

Manageme Informationt n System Marketing

Human R esou Managem rce ent

Accounting

General Business

School of Human Sciences and Humanities

School of Business

School of Education

School of Science and Computer Engineering

http://hsh.uhcl.edu 281-283-3333 hshadvising@uhcl.edu

http://bus.uhcl.edu 281-283-3110 busadvoff@uhcl.edu

http://soe.uhcl.edu 281-283-3600 education@uhcl.edu

http://sce.uhcl.edu 281-283-3711 sceadvising@uhcl.edu

Bayou Bldg. Suite 1539 Mon.– Thurs. 8 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Bayou Bldg. Suite 2111 Mon.– Thurs. 8 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Fri. 8 a.m.– Noon

Bayou Bldg. Suite 1231 Mon.–Thurs. 9 a.m.– 5:15 p.m.

Fri. 9 – 11:30 a.m.

Bayou Bldg. Suite 3611 Mon.– Thurs. 8 a.m.– 6 p.m.

Fri. 8 a.m. – Noon

campus services How to survive your first year at UHCL

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BY LOREN FERGUSON Whether you’re fresh out of a high school graduation or a returning student, starting college can keep you up like the night before Christmas. Relax. The Signal staff has come up with their top 10 survival tips for your first year at UHCL.

5. Time management.

1. “Man, I love college.”

This is the ‘big time.’ This is the start of building your career. Pay attention, absorb the education, learn your craft by practicing your skills and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

2. Plan accordingly.

Take advantage of the resources UHCL provides. Offices such as the Writing Center, Math Center, Student Success Center and Career and Counseling Services will guide you toward graduating successfully.

3. Stretch your dollar.

Wait until the first day of class to buy your books unless otherwise stated by the professor. The first day of class your professor will be able to tell you which books are recommend, required or if you can save some money by purchasing an older edition. You can save yourself money purchasing used books from websites like chegg.com or by renting an eBook.

4. Read the fine print.

The syllabus is different for every course as well as each professor. Make sure to thoroughly read what the semester has in store for you. Usually, a syllabus will supply you with important information such as: a schedule with due dates, absence policy, grading policy, required texts and office hours. Every professor has autonomy over his/her classroom, so pay attention to the syllabus.

Create a calendar that contains all of your deadlines. This calendar will help you finish assignments in a timely manner. It is much easier to keep track of assignments and due dates when they are consolidated and organized. Take advantage of UHCL resources like SLICE and Career and Counseling Services workshops offered throughout the semester to learn how to manage your time wisely.

6. You’ve got mail.

The main form of communication between you, the university and your professor will be through your UHCL email.

You can link your UHCL email to your personal account.

Sign in to your UHCL email, click the question mark and select “Help” to set your email up to forward messages.

For help, call the Support Center at 281-283-2828 or email supportcenter@uhcl.edu. Be sure to check your email regularly so you don’t miss important announcements.

7. Be proactive.

Be sure to email your professors when a problem or concern arises. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to figure out what you missed. The professor will not seek you out to walk you hand-in-hand down last week’s memory lane. There is no getting around assignment due dates. Your assignment should be on time whether or not you are present in class, so make sure you have your professor’s email address.

Minimize your student debt

BY MATT WALKER Student loan debt at graduation has increased far more than the median college salary and starting salaries.

A good point to consider is that an interest rate is like the morning sun: it will surely rise. How to prepare for this should be every bit as important for college students as how to prepare for final exams, even more so, because the debt students incur during their college tenure shall remain far longer than any grade incurred.

There are plenty of ways to save money. The first is basic: spend less than you have. Track your expenses.

Keep a separate notebook devoted exclusively to budgeting. Write down everything that is spent each day.

At the end of the week, categorize the expenses, such as school supplies (including textbooks), groceries, gas, entertainment and bills.

Tally up how much is coming in versus how much is going out. All it takes is arithmetic, but it had better balance out at the end of the month, or you will be tempted to yield to the temptation of using credit cards.

The average yearly credit for college students is around $1,000 a year. After four years, that’s $4,000.

With interest being what it is (usually 6 percent), that will amount to more than $540, providing it’s paid off within a year after graduating.

The best thing to do is to not carry a credit card in your wallet.

Credit cards should only be used as a last resort, for instances such as emergencies, not for regular expenses like paying the phone bill.

Financial Aid

www.uhcl.edu/finaid

Other ways to save money would be brown-bagging your lunch, shopping at thrift stores, buying store-brand products at the grocery store instead of name brands, keeping track of your change and using it instead of breaking new bills, carrying cash instead of debit cards, and buying basic supplies, such as detergent or writing utensils, at the Dollar Store.

Leslie Wells, assistant director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, said that students need to understand that financial aid is available to help with tuition/fees, books, housing and living expenses; however, planning is critically important to ensure that financial aid funds are spent wisely.

Establishing a monthly budget is a good way to make sure that a student’s financial aid refund will serve the needs for which it is intended. Budgeting is an important skill to develop for life after college as well.

“If you have to take a loan, take the minimal amount you can get by with,” Wells said. “Live like a pauper during college and wait to celebrate until after graduation and landing a job.”

Students can use various budgeting tools, but Cash Course (http://www.cashcourse.org/uhcl) helps plan finances for the semester.

The UHCL Office of Student Financial Aid can help students navigate the world of grants, scholarships, loans and even workstudy jobs on campus.

Budgeting and understanding monthly bills and finances is one way to be successful as a graduate.

SSCB 1.105 281.283.2480

The Office of Financial Aid offers student assistance and services such as grants, scholarships, loans and work study opportunities.

TIPS FOR STU DENTS FROM STU DENTS

8. Keep calm and ask advisers.

Go talk to an adviser about your semester plans. Keep in mind some courses are not available year-round. Always be careful to make sure you have fulfilled any prerequisites, if applicable, before signing up for a course. Students who have not met prerequisites will not be allowed to attend the class. Prerequisites are in place to ensure you have the necessary skills to help you get the most out of particular courses.

9. Guess who?

You should make an informed decision choosing your classes. Get advice from other students and use websites like www.ratemyprofessor.com to see helpful reviews on all of the professors. Be sure your learning style will coordinate with the professor’s teaching style.

10. Early bird gets the worm!

Take advantage of early registration. Registering early enables a greater chance of choosing the right teachers, times and courses for you. The smaller class sizes at UHCL are great for engaging students, but that also means that classes can fill up quickly. Don’t miss out on registering for a class you need, or you might delay your graduation.

OK, I failed my first test, now what?

BY SHEREA CARY Classes have started; it appears everything is under control — working, socializing and keeping up with class assignments — or so you think. When the first exam rolls around, students are eager and sometimes overly confident about study skills and taking exams.

The first exam results are returned; there is a red letter at the top of the page. It is not one of the first three in the alphabet. In fact, it is the fourth or the sixth letter of the alphabet.

What happened?! Before having a panic attack, take a deep breath, then visit the Student Success Center.

The Student Success Center is a resource and support system available to all UHCL students to help make academic success possible.

The services offered by the Student Success Center are designed around skill development, content knowledge and guided practice. All services are free of charge, as they are already included in tuition and fees.

Students can seek help by scheduling an appointment or dropping by the Student Success Center (SSCB 3101.2). A faculty member or adviser can refer a student, but the most important step is for a student to ask for help.

Staff members talk with students to identify the challenges hindering their academic success.

Individualized help is available for students having difficulty through traditional tutoring, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring and academic coaching. Tutoring is offered in person and online. Students are matched with tutors experienced in the subject matter in which the student is having difficulty.

A lack of time management skills, poor note taking skills, or not understanding the reading material could be the stumbling block to academic success. Simple steps such as

having a designated time to meet with a tutor or academic coach to help with questions or review assignments are effective measures to clear away the stumbling blocks.

Tutors use detective-like skills to determine a student’s strengths and weaknesses.

Once trouble areas are identified, tutors work to improve or develop study skills, leading to academic success and improved grades.

“It can be fixed; we have had remarkable recoveries here,” said Tim Richardson, executive director of academic support services. “It is OK to ask for help.”

The Student Success Center works closely with Career and Counseling Services to implement a plan to minimize weaknesses and capitalize on student strengths.

Career Services can advise students struggling in a particular subject how important the subject matter is to a career field. For example, a student struggling with advanced math courses may need to reconsider an engineering degree.

“Maybe there would be more than one major that could get them to the occupation of their choice,” said Chuck Crocker, director of Career Services.

In addition to helping students who are having trouble, the Student Success Center helps students maintain good grades and keep the momentum going.

“It is always good to be proactive; we are here for all students, not just those in trouble and struggling,” Richardson said.

Struggling academically is demoralizing and can overshadow an otherwise delightful college experience. It is important to seek help at the first sign of academic trouble; getting help early reduces stress and anxiety, giving a student a fighting chance to succeed in the classroom.

Student Success Center The Student Success Center is a comprehensive academic support resource that offers:

• Tutoring for courses in all four schools • Supplemental instruction for particularly difficult classes • Study skill development • Peer mentoring programs studentsuccesscenter@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/studentsuccesscenter

SSCB 3101.2 281.283.2643

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campus services

YANIRA ROUBI

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BY BAISHA KREUZER You walk into the classroom and are promptly confronted with a decision that will affect your learning capability.

While scanning the room, you notice one empty seat in the front and one in the back of the classroom. Which one do you choose?

While appearing on the surface to simply be a place to sit, your choice of seat can affect your overall comprehension of the information presented in your class. Why is this?

It is because each individual student has his or her own unique learning style. There are three learning styles that are most prominent: visual, auditory and tactile. The best

1. You prefer the textbook for your class to have… a. A lot of pictures, graphs, charts, etc. b. A lot of words, descriptions and definitions. c. A lot of puzzles, quizzes and practice tests.

2. You’re waiting in the checkout line at the book store on campus. While waiting, what are you most likely to do? a. Look around at the other items in the store. b. Talk to the person next to you in line. c. Fidget, check your phone, move back and forth.

way to succeed academically is by knowing your personal learning style.

Regardless of which learning style applies to you, when studying by yourself isn’t enough, there are multiple services on campus to provide help.

“There is nothing wrong about asking for help; be a detective and find out what you need,” said Tim Richardson, executive director of the academic support services.

There are other academic success programs offered at UHCL, such as the Writing and Math Centers, supplemental instruction designed for difficult classes (for students and faculty), Students

Helping Other Students To Succeed (SHOSTS) program, among others.

The best thing you can do for yourself is “dive in head first,” said Blaine Ganter, coordinator of tutoring and supplemental instruction.

Also remember that you are not alone. Many students use these programs on a daily basis.

“Roughly 1,500 appointments are made per semester, most of which are repeat appointments,” said Katie Hart, program coordinator for the Writing Center.

Whatever your learning style is, understand it, and if you need further assistance, take advantage of the tutoring programs on campus.

4. What’s the best way for you to learn how something works? (i.e.: video or computer game) a. Get someone to show you. b. Read the instructions or listen to someone explain it. c. Figure it out by yourself.

5. What do you find most distracting when you are trying to study? a. People walking past you. b. Loud noises. c. Being too cold or too hot.

3. When you see the word “hawk,” what do you do first? a. Picture a hawk in your mind. b. Say the word “hawk” to yourself. c. Think about hearing or holding a hawk.

If you answered mostly A’s: You are a Visual Learner! You like to keep yourself organized and often learn best with your eyes or by visualizing information. You like finding something to watch to entertain you when you’re bored. You learn best by reading or seeing pictures and understand best when given a visual representation (i.e.: information written on the board or in a PowerPoint).

If you answered mostly B’s: You are an Auditory Learner! You will learn best from your professor if you attend every lecture and listen to the information given.

You store information based on how it sounds and have a less difficult time with spoken instructions than written ones. You often learn by reading out loud because you have to hear it to remember it.

What you can do to learn best: • Sit in the front of the room.

• Make sure you wear corrective lenses if you need to (no matter how dorky you think your glasses may look).

• Take a lot of notes; write down key words or phrases from your lectures.

• When studying, avoid distractions such as TV or being in loud, public places.

What you can do to learn best: • Find a seat in the classroom where you can hear well.

• Read your textbook, assignments and directions out loud.

• Have your test questions read out loud to you.

• Use audio books or record yourself reading and play it back.

What you can do to learn best: • Do hands-on projects such as art presentations, taking walks or acting out stories.

• Use flashcards and group them to show correlations between ideas.

• Trace words with your finger to remember key terms.

• Integrate the information you are studying with a physical activity.

did you know...

The Math Center

The Math Center provides tutoring for mathematics and statistics courses for students enrolled in math classes. You’re invited to drop by if you want help with your math questions.

Fall & Spring Semester Drop-In Hours: Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. mathhelp@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/mathcenter

If you answered mostly C’s: You are a Tactile Learner! You’re a handson type person. You learn best when you solve the equation yourself and understand concepts through physical movement. You enjoy building, moving, drawing or touching to learn. You need to be active and take frequent breaks.

• Along with these three learning styles, there is another factor that can further explain how UHCL students learn best: whether they belong to the Millennial generation or Generation X. • Generation X students are those born in the 1960s and 70s, while Millennial students are those born in the 1980s and 90s. The difference between the two groups is the integration of technology.

• Generation X’ers are accustomed to learning information one item at a time and processing new material by breaking it down in a linear manner.

Bayou 2127 281.283.2460

• Millennial students are used to downloading and processing information quickly, multitasking and ultimately learn best in a non-linear manner. Because of this generational gap, UHCL students learn very differently.

campus services

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Meet the Queues

BY PAUL TRISTAN Need help writing papers? Having trouble organizing ideas into a thesis? Come to the UHCL Writing Center, especially if you are new to UHCL. It’s a great place to improve your writing skills.

Whitney Vandiver, the intern program coordinator for the Writing Center, encourages students who have a hard time writing to be themselves when they write papers.

“We view writing as a way for students to express themselves and a way to be able to advance in the career path they have set before them,” Vandiver said.

One of the most popular tutors at the Writing Center is Susie Queue. Susie is a 24-year-old undergraduate who is majoring in literature. You can recognize her by her green turtleneck sweater, complimented with her black beret and light brown hair.

Susie Queue has been a virtual tutor at the UHCL Writing Center since 2009. Katie Hart, program coordinator for the UHCL Writing Center, developed and designed Susie Queue.

“I was just drawing a random generic person at the board that we have outside when my director at the time [former Writing Center Director Chloe Diepenbrock] said, ‘You drew Susie Queue,’ so then Susie became a thing,” Hart said.

“Susie Queue” has been the mascot for the Writing Center for six years. Susie is a shy, likeable and helpful student. She is an aspiring librarian, likes to read literature classics such as “The Old man and the Sea” and playing with her dog Oscar, named after Oscar Wilde. When she is not glued to a good book, she also loves photography, especially capturing pictures of deer, ducks, raccoons and the scenic nature that surrounds the campus.

This fall, the Writing Center introduced a new member to its staff, Susie’s very own little brother Sammy Queue. When UHCL opened up the campus to freshmen and sophomores last fall, Susie motivated her little brother Sammy Queue to start attending school here.

Sammy is a young, energetic and undeclared freshman. Big sister Susie talked him into getting a job at the Writing Center with her. Now Sammy has his own blog, which is on the UHCL Writing Center’s website, where he documents his firs-year experiences.

Even though Sammy is upbeat and able to keep up with his schoolwork, he still needs a little tutoring help from his big sister to fine-tune his research papers.

When Sammy is in his bedroom mellowing out, he likes to chill out to the indie band, Fleet Floxes.

The Writing Center offers online tutoring sessions and face-to-face sessions.

Going to college in the digital age

BY SHANEA JOHNSON College success no longer relies solely on lectures and textbooks; it is composed of the traditional aspects of university life, mixed with Blackboard, E-Services and an enormous amount of online information.

EASE ONLINE

These sessions face can last up to 45 minutes; appointments can be scheduled online or by calling or stopping by the Writing Center.

The tutors at the Writing Center are not copy editors. They will not do the work for you, but they do help guide you toward making a better paper and becoming a better writer. The services are provided free of charge because they are covered by your student services fees. All the tutors ask is that students arrive for their appointments, because there are limited appointment slots available each day.

The slots do fill up quickly; the tutors advise that you please make sure that you reserve an adequate amount of time in advance of your deadline to avoid struggling with the assignments due at the last minute.

Anyone can chat with Susie online through the Writing Center’s website. Susie and Sammy encourage you to go on to their Facebook page and “like” the page, which is where Susie shares links and tips to become a soaring successful writer.

“Susie is very friendly and very knowledgeable; you can just click a button and just start chatting if you need help with your paper,” Hart said.

WE DON’T JUST MAKE BETTER PAPERS, WE MAKE BETTER WRITERS.

ebrating Excellence Cel

SSCB 2.101 - 281-283-2910 writingcenter@uhcl.edu - www.uhcl.edu/writingcenter

Registering for the right classes is the most important way to start a semester of college. You register for classes at UHCL using EASE (Easy Access System for Enrollment). You access EASE by using your UHCL user ID and password.

Inside this system you can search for classes by term and course subject in addition to other ways to narrow your class search.

Students having trouble navigating the system can visit the Student Assistance Center in SSCB 1.102 or call 281-283-2722.

LIBRARY DATABASES

The Internet is a wonderful resource for your college career. It can be very useful when conducting research for class projects. You can find reputable articles and interviews simply by searching with Google or other popular search engines.

You can also access the Neumann Library’s databases in the comfort of your own home by using your UHCL user ID. There is a “Databases A-Z” tab on the library’s homepage at www.uhcl. edu/library. There you can find newspaper, magazine and journal articles free of charge; the subscription service is included in tuition/fees.

Remember, the Internet is a wealth of knowledge, but UHCL prides itself on academic honesty. If you think it might be plagiarism, it probably is. Always cite your sources. Failing to do so can result in a failing grade, getting kicked out of the class or, in extreme cases, expulsion from the university.

BLACKBOARD

Blackboard is a Web-based program used by most of the professors and students at UHCL in order access grades, classroom material, tests, discussion boards and much more, depending on how a professor chooses to use it.

You will most likely have to use Blackboard at least once in your college career.

A good tip students should keep in mind is to avoid accessing Blackboard from a mobile device or tablet in order to have fast connectivity and avoid the coursesite from freezing.

“Although they are becoming increasingly popular (bordering on ubiquitous), tablet devices and smartphones are not a good way to access Blackboard, especially when it comes to completing assignments and activities (e.g., quizzes, assignments, discussions) that are graded,” said

15

Samantha Houston, learning technology administrator. “Whenever possible, we strongly recommend that students use full-function computers, either desktop or laptop, to take tests/quizzes and submit graded work in Blackboard.”

Blackboard is utilized for all of the online courses at UHCL. “Effective communication between instructors and students is a cornerstone of successful learning in the online environment and, for many students, this means adjusting their need and expectation for immediate gratification and response times,” said Jenni Willis-Opalenik, instructional designer in University Computing and Telecommunications.

ONLINE TUTORING

ion to Blackboard, there are a number of other university resources you can access online. Tim Richardson, director of the Student Success Center, takes advantage of the digital age by offering online tutoring and supplemental instruction sessions. The Writing Center also offers online tutoring.

“We use an online scheduling system with tutoring and academic coaching,” Richardson said. “You can search for your courses by your username and when they come up, you click what class you need help with and it shows tutors for that subject and their availability, including in-person and one-on-one, and you can book an online appointment with a tutor.”

Richardson stated that a lot of students live far away from campus and cannot always come up to school to receive the help they need. The Student Success Center is constantly looking for ways to improve its online tutoring function to ensure that students are receiving the best help available to them.

“We are continuously looking for different ways to do online tutoring,” Richardson said. “We look for online resources that will help a variety of students.”

PROFESSOR RATING SITES

Online rating systems are another popular advent of the digital age. Before students decides what professor to take for classes, most will look at RateMyProfessor.com a website where students can read reviews from past students for most of the professors at UHCL. Look for reviews that offer examples and talk about what to expect out of a class. ‘This class sucks’ is not a valid review and will not help you understand what to expect from the professor or the coursework.

Remember, reviews are based on opinion, so take them with a grain of salt. Sometimes good professors/courses receive bad reviews because a student was upset with the work load/expectations of a college course.

Professors Read Their Ratings

Scan the QR code to access the “RateMyProfessor Sweet & Sour Reviews: As Read By UHCL Professors” video from your mobile device.

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ACTIVITIES FOOD FUN SPIRIT!

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Your Pride

7TH ANNUAL

Wed., Oct. 14 Bayou, Atrium II 12 – 6 pm #UHClearlake #IHEARTUHCL

www.fb.com/UHCLstudentlife www.fb.com/UHClearlake

Any individual needing a special accommodation to attend should contact the Student Life Office at 281-283-2560 one week prior to the event.

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O T P N EX E D N U O T I S AT T. 2 P L E Z ,S L I Y A SD m E FA GAN DN 3p WE m R 1a 1 , O AY D S

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SOAR INTO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

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Joining a student organization can provide you with education opportunities outside of the classroom, play a key role in your success, and enhance your overall college experience.

There are more than 80 active student organizations on campus that contribute to the educational, professional, civic, and social development of all students involved. Students are encouraged to join organizations that fit well with their interests.

Stand Out from the Crowd!

Check out these leadership programs for New Students!

Emerging Leaders Academy August 10 – 13, 5pm – 8pm

Open to incoming Freshmen and Sophomores!

Applications available online at www.uhcl.edu/slice

Apply to become a part of this exclusive learning community designed to foster your greatest leadership potential. This year-long institute provides incoming freshmen and sophomores with a very personal and high impact learning experience. Participants benefit from having their very own Success Coaches (peer mentors), workshops, retreats, and a small team of peers who will support them along their leadership journey and help them achieve academic and personal success during their first year at UHCL. At the end of your first year, you have the option to continue for up to two more years with HLI! Space is limited. Apply by July 19th!

Start making your college memories with these fun and interactive workshops!

Aug 10: Aug 11: Aug 12: Aug 13:

Get Involved! Campus Organizations and Student Leadership Opportunities at UHCL/Alumni Panel Don’t Just Break the Ice, Melt It! A Sneak Peek into The National Society of Leadership and Success Discover Your Strengths – The Key to Becoming an Effective Leader and Fulfilling Your Potential

Attend all four workshops and get a free SLICE t-shirt and certificate. Dinner is provided at each workshop. Pre-register for the ELA at www.uhcl.edu/slice.

FREE and OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, ANY MAJOR, ANY YEAR!

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When you need some help, at your new school,

HAWKS HELPING HAWKS!

Of f ic e of t h e Dean of S tudents 1 st Fl oor, SSC B 1.102 2 81 -2 8 3 -2 SAC (2722) UH C L SAC @uhcl.e du

w w w.U H C LT h e S i g n a l N S O.c o m

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ART T S O T P? U WANT O R DY G U T S A

or e t a m oom r a d ce a n u Nee o n o an t t ting? n e a e w m ant t org n w e u d o u st ptop y a l a l?

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www.uhcl.edu/disability

Register Online

We provide accommodations to students with various types of disabilities, including but not limited to: 

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder



Autism Spectrum Disorder



Blind or visual impairments



Chronic medical conditions



Deaf or hard-of-hearing



Learning disabilities



Mental and physical conditions Please feel free to contact us in any of the following ways: Scan the barcode to access forms and information to help you register.



Phone: 281-283-2648



Fax: 281-283-2624



Email: Disabilty@uhcl.edu



Office location: Student Services Classroom Building Room 1.301.

DO YOU LIKE DISCOUNTS & FREEBIES? Then grab your uhcl Advantage Card today!

The UHCL Advantage Card student initiative gives students a discount with participating local businesses.

All companies require that UHCL students show a current student ID to receive discounts.

Students may get their student ID in the Student Life Office, SSCB 1.204.

Advantage Cards are valid through one full academic school year.

Visit www.uhcl.edu/sga and click on the “student discounts” tab to view the list of discounts & participating businesses.

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Students refuse to let obstacles get in the way

BY ANDREA THOMAS There are many services and organizations that will help new students make the transition from high school to college much easier, as long as you know to ask for it.

Disability Services is one of the offices on campus that assists students with special needs and learning differences.

Disability Services is a place to go for help and to feel safe doing so. You may have a diagnosed disability that warrants special arrangements or you might be unaware of your needs. You can meet with Disabilities Services to discuss your case.

It is important to know that the staff does not diagnose or treat disabilities, so an appointment with your family doctor or the UHCL Health Center may also be helpful.

College is meant to be hard, but in a manner which pushes you, daring you to overcome challenges and become successful.

“Incoming freshmen need to know that the laws are different in college than they are in high school; here students with disabilities are still expected to complete the same material as the other students,” said Gavin Steiger, director of Disability

Services.

Steiger explained that he is not an “official academic adviser,” but suggests that “students set reasonable standards and make a schedule that will play toward their strengths and to be mindful of the number of classes they take.”

It is also up to the student to register with the Office of Disability Services and provide proper documentation for his or her specific disability.

At the college level, self-advocacy and independence are necessary. It is important for students to be able to communicate

what their specific disability is and how it affects their everyday life. By meeting with someone in the Office of Disability Services, reasonable accommodations can be made and accommodation letters will be provided for students to take to their professors. Once professors have the accommodation letters, they can plan and teach accordingly.

Having a disability does not make someone disabled. Just ask any of the students who utilize Disability Services.

Eva's Story

Cindi's Story

Eva Bergara is one of those unique individuals who utilizes Disability Services.

She is a graduate student seeking a master’s degree in humanities with a concentration in family therapy. She also works part-time as an independent living specialist at the Brazoria County Center for Independent Living in Angleton. Eva assists people with disabilities in locating services that will help them to be more independent.

Eva does not walk this campus alone. She has her seeing-eye dog, Kim, to help guide her around campus. Eva has been blind her whole EVA BERGARA life, and her only complaint is that she wishes transportation was easier. She carpools with a family member from Alvin, which means they have to coordinate schedules.

There are several different screen-reading programs available for students who are blind. Eva uses several different ones. She uses Jaws, a program for Windows, when at school or on a PC, and at home or on the go, she uses System Access and voice-over on the Mac and iPhone. In class she uses a note-taking program called Braillenote Apex, which has a braille display that allows her to read what she is writing without interrupting class.

Disability Services has a list of assistive technologies for students to use.

Eva’s advice to new students is, “don’t be afraid of someone with a different lifestyle; just saying hello could open up the door to a new friendship.”

Cindi Young is another unique individual on campus. Cindi has two cochlear implants, which enables her to hear, but without them she would be completely deaf. Cindi visits the Office of Disability Services at the beginning of each semester to fill out the paperwork needed for her classes.

Cindi was born deaf and communicated with sign language until she was 9 years old. She received her first cochlear implant and started speech therapy to learn how to hear the different sounds and to create CINDY YOUNG words.

At 15, Cindi received her second cochlear implant and continued speech therapy.

She has been able to hear for the past 13 years and can read lips pretty well, but no longer uses sign language to communicate.

Cindi was homeschooled and graduated high school at age 19.

She plans to attend graduate school and wants to teach at the college level.

She uses Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) to assist her in class. It is a service that has a trained operator who uses keyboard or stenography methods to turn verbal speech into written text enabling Cindi to participate in her classes. It is also her responsibility to let the CART operator know if she is going to miss a class, since she uses the CART services through the Office of Disability Services.

Cindi stressed that the responsibility of asking for assistance from Disability Services rests on students’ shoulders.

“Good communication is essential to success,” Cindi said, emphasizing the fact that students cannot receive help if they do not first ask for it.

Disability Services www.uhcl.edu/disability

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Sec. 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended Sec. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Enables student success.

Provides equal access.

IDEA: Provides a free public education for disabled students.

To ensure that no otherwise disabled individual should be denied access, benefits or is discriminated in public activities or programs.

504: To ensure no disabled person is denied access, benefits or is discriminated in public activities or programs.

Disability Services coordinates a variety of services for students with disabilities to ensure that they receive equal access to all aspects of UHCL and allow them to participate fully in university life.

Fall & Spring Semester Hours Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Fridays: 8 a.m. - Noon Summer & Semester Break Hours Mondays - Thursdays: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Fridays: 8 a.m. - Noon disability@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/disability

All infants, children and youth requiring special education services until age 21 or graduation from high school.

All qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the entry age level or program entry criteria and who can document a disability from the A.D.A.

School districts are responsible for identifying, evaluating and planning educational services at no expense to the parent or individual.

Students are responsible for selfidentification and for obtaining disability documentation from a professional who is qualified to assist. The student assumes cost.

The parent of guardian is the primary advocate. Students with disabilities should learn about their disability, the accommodation(s) they need, and ways to be a selfadvocate.

Students must be able to communicate what their disability is, how the disability impacts and functionally limits major life activities. They must be able to identify any accommodations.

Adapted from: The Big Difference, Indiana University - Bloomington, 2002.

SSCB 2.101 281.283.3883

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campus services

ATTACK

BY MAX NEWLIN Along with a degree, there are several different characteristics employers look for in a potential employee.

One that is often overlooked and underpracticed is teamwork skills. After graduation, you will have to work with people you have nothing in common with or may not get along with.

The workplace is not like college. You and your best friend can not go to a job interview and ask for the same work schedule and cubicles next to each other.

This is where the group projects come into play. On the first day of class, after being handed the syllabus, a student usually follows the same pattern: skip over all of the academic honesty and course description jargon, take a peak at what books may be required, look to see if attendance is required and then go straight to the assignment list.

An assignment list featuring a series of multiple-choice tests will bring a tear of relief to any student fearing a heavy workload. A few tests and a couple of papers are manageable, and at least you are only depending on yourself so your procrastination can run free.

The most dreaded item on the assignment list is the group project. Group projects are unpopular. You may feel awkward talking to people, the aforementioned procrastination now has its eyes set on

of THE

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GROUP PROJECT

outside prey or you know that you will be the victim of someone else’s.

Immediately you start looking around the room, sizing up potential group members. The pretty girl or boy is a must just to give you an incentive to show up to meetings as well as motivate you to do good work to impress he or she.

Next is the guy who is 11 chapters in to the textbook even after the teacher said the class would only be covering the first eight.

The girl who has asked a question about every section of the syllabus will be perfect for administrative duties.

Great, you have your ideal group all plotted out and you can relax. However, when the time comes to group up, the pretty girl/boy joins a group with his or her boyfriend/girlfriend, the guy who read the entire textbook is out sick and your administrative

boss had her group formed and fully networked before the class sat down the first day.

Quickly, you scan the room meeting the eyes of others like you who either thought they also had it figured out or are the underachievers of the class just now hearing of the group project.

After a few seconds of a nonverbal courtship from across the room, you decide to team up with the leftovers on the Island of Misfit Students.

You spend the first meeting staring around at each other like a bad poker game and slowly start to put together a plan and assess with whom you are working.

The girl in your group is cute, but she is constantly checking her Instagram and is on her third reapplication of makeup in the last hour.

Stress factors for transitioning students

BY COLDEN SNOW Leaving high school and arriving in college can be difficult for many reasons.

You are, after all, leaving the structured world of public school, you also may feel extra pressure now that you or someone very close to you is paying for your education. Above all, you may start to feel stressed in new and different ways than you have experienced before.

Alfred Kahn, retired director of Career and Counseling Services, described three different levels of stress a student transitioning to college for the first time might face.

1. Academic Challenge: When starting your first college classes you will notice a difference. You may have

to write more essays than before, your grades will be weighted more heavily.

2. Personal Transition:

The transition from high school to college is difficult for most.“When you get to college, you’re on your own and that is a huge shift for students,” Kahn said.

3. Social and Emotional Stress:

Life is full of choices and the choice to go to college may be different from what some of your high school peers may have chosen. You may experience altered relationships with people that you were close with in high school.

You may now be thinking to yourself, what if I do experience stress on any or all of these levels? Well there is no need to worry; the office of Counseling Services, located on the third floor of the Student Services Building is there to help. If you feel you need help with any problem major to minor, stress, personal, or emotional all you have to do is make an appointment and one of the highly trained staff will meet with you.

“We have experienced, professional staff, who have been working with college students for years to help them face those challenges [emotional, personal], to be able to manage and reduce their stress, [and] to solve problems,” Kahn said.

One guy has been reading all class, but it is the second book of the Game of Thrones series. The group’s potential administrator is more of a dictator as she demanded the easiest part of the project for herself and gave specific windows of time that she can be contacted. She also looks like she might throw hot coffee in your face if you have an objection.

The group is set. You spend the next few weeks, depending on which type of group member you are, procrastinating, completely forgetting the assignment, doing the wrong part of the assignment or frantically emailing the other members wondering where their part is.

In the end it all comes together. The guy who read the whole textbook showed up the next week and got assigned to your group. The cute girl has been missing from class since the day the group joined although, from the pictures on her Instagram, it appears she has been at a perpetual party in Cancun. The others eventually formed a coup and overthrew the dictatorial leader, and textbook guy was able to recite you the book when having trouble with your assignment.

The most important thing is that the assignment is complete, you survived and got a practical experience in group dynamics.

Keep in mind, you won’t get to pick your group in the workplace. Which member of the group will you be?

Counseling Services Office www.uhcl.edu/counselingservices

The mission of Counseling Services is to guide and to support the members of the university community in the achievement of their educational, vocational and psychological goals.

Regular Office Hours Mondays - Thursdays: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fridays: 8:30 a.m. - Noon Call ahead for office hours around holidays and semester breaks.

SSCB 3.103 281.283.2580

campus communities

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FROM SOLDIER TO STUDENT

BY MANUEL NANEZ The military prides itself on preparing soldiers for whatever challenges they may face. As capable and competent as our soldiers are when they leave the service, they still, like any student, may need some assistance and guidance in navigating through the college system. In fact, adjusting to college life after military service can pose greater obstacles than those faced by civilian students.

Meet Michael Medina. He’s a 26-year-old Iraq veteran who is majoring in criminology. He is also a mentor in the Veterans Peer Mentorship Program, a program on campus that assists veteran students in making a successful transition from the military into student life.

The program, which began in the fall of 2013, did not exist when Medina first enrolled at UHCL. Had it been here, Medina says, it would have helped him clearly identify and correctly follow all of the proper steps in the G.I. Bill process, as well as

identify the correct off-campus government locations required to file certain paper work.

The director of the program, Trisha Ruiz, echoes this sentiment. Ruiz was a non-commissioned officer in the Army and served as a Military Police Officer for six years.

Ruiz said many veteran students do not even realize all the opportunities that are available to them on campus. For instance, some do not realize that they qualify for financial aid and therefore do not apply for it.

The Veterans Peer Mentorship Program works to close that information gap and ensure that veterans at UHCL take advantage of all the opportunities that are here for them.

Every Monday, from 10 a.m. to noon, someone from the Office of Career and Counseling Services is available for veteran students to speak with. The topics discussed can range from career guidance to helping connect student veterans with those who can best help them should they

experience post-traumatic stress.

As Ruiz explains, transitioning from a life in the military is one of the biggest transitions a person can make. The goal of the Veterans Peer Mentorship Program is to help make that transition a positive one.

Medina remembers well the challenges that accompanied his transition to student life. As a sergeant in the Marines he was in charge of 55 soldiers.

“We had like 25 aircraft, Hueys and Cobras, the helicopters,” Medina said. “Each one was like $14 million, so if something happened it would fall on me.”

Having had that level of responsibility and activity in the military has affected how Medina views civilian life. He compares it to almost developing a case of OCD or ADD. Medina encourages other veteran students who feel the same way, those who may need to fill a void or feel a little lost as civilians, to stop by the office and see what the program has to offer or even volunteer on a community service project,

which the program periodically of individuals who have shared organizes. experiences. Veterans have unique Ruiz considers Medina to be experiences and perspectives, and an outstanding leader who has the Veteran Mentorship Program taken the skillset that he learned plans to keep UHCL veteran stuin the Marine Corps and applied dents connected and supported. it to his life as a student and as a mentor, helping set new students up for success at UHCL. “Mike is an integral part of my team,” Ruiz said.

There is no financial compensation that comes with being a mentor and serving such a pivotal role in the organization.

Medina’s commitment is fueled by his desire to help other veterans to carry the strengths and skills that they learned in the military to a university setting.

Being a part of the Veteran Peer Mentorship Michael Medina, Iraq veteran, Program offers veteran criminology major and mentor in students the intangibles the Veterans Peers Mentorship that come along with Program. being a part of a network

Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services UHCL is proud to serve the men and women who have served their country.

The Veteran Services Office assists students with information on receiving or transferring their Federal VA benefits.

Fall & Spring Hours Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Fridays: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. vso@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/vso

Summer Hours Mondays - Thursdays: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m. - Noon SSCB 3.201 281.283.3071

Pictured above is the Clear Springs High School JROTC at the 2013 UHCL Veterans Day Celebration.

1. Prepare for a transition: no more regimented schedule.

2. Be open to a new mindset: college life offers daily interaction with people who will have differing opinions and background.

3. Seek out other veterans: connect with peers from similar backgrounds.

4. Hang out with civilians: while connecting with peers, also do things on campus outside the veterans’ sphere.

5. Strongly consider traditional college: choose a college with a physical campus versus earning a degree online.

6. Practice patience: veterans are often older and have more life experience than classmates; don’t discount younger students.

See full U.S. News article by Katy Hopkins at http://www.usnews.com/education/ best-colleges/articles/2012/06/08/6-tips-for-veterans-to-succeed-in-college

Pictured above is Jay Hernandez, certifying official for the Capt. Wendell M. Wilson Veteran Services Office, at the 2013 UHCL Veterans Day Celebration.

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June 4, 2015 for all new Summer 2015 International Students Attendance is mandatory for all undergraduate international students and for all F-1 and J-1 international graduate students.

November 1, 2015 - Spring 2016 Semester February 15, 2016 - Summer 2016 March 15, 2016 - Fall 2016 or Academic Year 2016-17

#

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#UHCLorientation TAG YOUR POSTS & FOLLOW OTHERS’ POSTS TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ORIENTATION!

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services Job search assistance Career Counseling Mock Interviews & Resume critiques Cooperative education program Online job listings & Resume referrals through Jobs4Hawks Job Fairs & Employer events throughout the year

Helping you on your road to SUCCESS! UHCLCareer

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WELCOME

NEW HAWKS! FROM THE OFFICE OF THE

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Associate Vice President for Student Services Bayou Room 2523 Biggers@uhcl.edu

Ph: 281-283-3025 www.uhcl.edu/studentservices

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e c n e r e ff i Fall Events D l

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SSCB 1.203 | 281-283-2575 | iiss@uhcl.edu | uhcl.edu/iiss | facebook.com/uhcliiss | youtube.com/iissuhcl |

Spring Events GenOne School House Rock Black History Month Women’s HERstory Month Cultural Extravaganza Celebrate No H8 Asian American and Paciic Islander Heritage Month

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campus communities

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From foreign to familiar: Forging a diverse community

BY MATT WALKER In Robert Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land,” a marooned earth-orphan is raised by Martians. When they send him back to Earth years later, the culture shock is so extensive that he longs to return to Mars.

International students at UHCL may initially feel as if they’re on a different planet when they first arrive. Homesickness is to be expected, but students don’t have to feel like strangers in a strange land.

The Office of the Intercultural Student Services (ISS) can help international students face these challenges (such as differences in culture, language and social mores) and adapt to their new environment.

It is located on the first floor of the Student Services and Classroom Building, room 1.203. The office assists students from the

United States and all over the world and promotes an education for a diverse society.

“We provide student services for the new students,” said Susana Hernandez, assistant director of ISS. “We provide cultural programming and home-away-from-home events, such as our Cultural Extravaganza.”

Cultural Extravaganza is an annual event held in March where students, faculty, staff and the local community have the opportunity to showcase their culture through music, dance, poetry and other talents. This is just one of many programs offered on campus to promote diversity.

Last year, 22 countries were represented, and approximately 550 people attended.

Hernandez also arranges for small groups of students to meet in ISS at least once a week to help students with whatever problems they encounter as new residents.

Office of International Admissions & Programs • • • •

Assists International students with enrollment and admissions.

Expands study abroad and internship opportunities for all students.

Examines the organizational needs of international education.

Cooperates with institutions in other countries.

oiap@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/oii

Bayou 2528 281.283.3972

Phuong’s story

BY MALORI BIZZELL When Phuong Thanh Ngo began her journey at UHCL, she started the same way most other college students begin. As Ngo worked to find her place in a new city and community, she also struggled to figure out all the necessities of living as an adult by herself for the first time. From finding the right apartment to buying a toothbrush, Ngo had to start from scratch when arriving here from Ho Chi, Vietnam.

As Ngo discussed her experiences, she smiled and greeted everyone who passed. Her warm personality pours into everything she says, as well as the love she has for her Vietnamese culture and the new culture she is experiencing in America.

“Life in Vietnam was busy because I had a full-time job and went to school,” Ngo said. “It was hard to be a full-time student and have a job, but somehow I did it.”

The obstacles Ngo overcame to come to UHCL are a testament to her character and her perseverance. The process to become an international student is long and tedious. Ngo could have been turned down at many different times in the process. She explained how she had to go through an interview process to receive her visa, and then transfer from her school in Vietnam to UHCL. Once she was accepted into the program and had her visa, she then came to the United States. This process is mandatory for all international students.

“My family didn’t think coming to the U.S. for higher education would be beneficial for me and encouraged me to settle down in Vietnam,” Ngo said.

“But now my family is proud because I made the decision to have my dream of a higher education come true.”

Even though she is far from home, Ngo said she still has connections here with the Vietnamese community.

After being at UHCL for one year, Ngo spends her spare time at organized activities with the Vietnamese Student Association.

Before coming from India to America in 2010, Sadruddin Jiwani obtained a degree in computer engineering. He intends to get a master’s in computer science at UHCL. Although Jiwani was provided with a list of universities from which to choose, including UHCL, he had already made up his mind to come here.

“I had friends here who told me about [the campus],” Jiwani said. “I was already working in India for three years as a software developer. I had no relatives here, but classmates who were here before me helped me to not feel left out.”

Jiwani would like to be a guide or mentor for new international students. He advised new students to “Be prepared. Have a close circle of friends and relatives.”

Tom Vo, 25, hails from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. After attending Vietnam

National University, he heard from friends who attended UHCL that “it was a good place to go to.”

Vo said that it was not difficult to adjust to Houston society. As for how to prepare for a trip abroad as a new student, Vo’s advice was simple.

“They need to find out as much information as they can in order to be prepared,” Vo said, adding that there are Vietnamese social circles in Houston such as the Vietnamese Student Association at UHCL. Although new students from abroad may feel as though they are strangers in a strange land, the obstacles, though challenging, are not insurmountable. Support and guidance is available from social groups and peer leaders found through ISS.

Study Abroad Program Offered through the Office of International Initiatives, this program is committed to helping students expand their global awareness by giving them the opportunity to study around the world.

oiap@uhcl.edu prtl.uhcl.edu/portal/page/portal/oii/intro/studyabroad

Bayou 2528 281.283.2740

Mohammad’s story

“[UHCL students] never judge

BY MATT WALKER me,” Ngo said. “I go to school and the A recent report by the nonprofit teachers, instructors, friends and classInstitute of International Education mates encourage us to ask questions.”

(IIE), which tracks student mobilWhile a student at UHCL, Ngo enity data, stated that the number of sures that learning is her first priority. international students enrolled in U.S. “Asking for help means you want colleges climbed 6 percent to a record to learn more; 764,495 last year, propelled primarily you want to by continuing increases of students achieve more so from China and a recent surge from that’s why you India. ask,” Ngo said.

“Indian students form the larg“It makes me est body of international students at comfortable to UHCL, followed by Vietnam,” said ask something Sameer Pande, executive director for when I know the Office of International Admisthat they are not sions and Programs. “OIAP is going judging me or to provide the one-stop experience think that I am for all international activities and will not capable of strive to increase UHCL’s internadoing sometional footprint.” thing.”

PHUONG THANH NGO, One such international student is Life experistudent ambassador in the Mohammad Asif, from India, who is ence, school Office of Intercultural majoring in biological science. Asif atmosphere and Student Services. explained that even though expenses the living enviwere “too much ronment are just for an Indian a few reasons Ngo decided to come to student to earn the U.S. to earn her master’s degree. a degree from a “[The U.S. is a] very advanced foreign universicountry that definitely has a lot of ty…by the same opportunity to learn and go far,” Ngo token, any unisaid. versity in India Sameer Pande, executive director would not yield of the Office of International Admisme as much as sions and Programs points out that a degree from international students simultaneously any American struggle with a new culture, a new lanuniversity. guage and a new academic system.

“This is a “Students struggle most with fact that every MOHAMMAD ASIF, adapting to all three at the same time, graduate student majoring Indian student because when they come here they are is aware of, in biological science. hit with all three at the same time,” including Pande said. myself. When I Pande also points out that all stuwas planning for my master’s, I had dents attending UHCL have the opporvery few people who could guide tunity to become globally competent, me, because biological science is not not just international students. very popular among our people. They “For anyone to succeed in today’s only know that one becomes a doctor world, you have to be globally compeif one is studying biology. Senior tent,” Pande said. “This is a growing students in my course gave me a few importance in the business world day tips and advice on how to plan to earn by day.” a master’s degree, which would help

get me better employment opportunities,” Asif said.

Because math doesn’t come easily to Asif, he had to work hard in order to gain a better understanding of higher-level, advanced mathematics.

Sometimes, though, he received low scores.

“My father was constantly worried about my future, because other aspirants fared better than me in academics,” Asif said. “But still I had hope and went ahead with my plan and decided to apply to the universities. One of my friends who was in the same field of study was at UHCL. He told me about UHCL and its curriculum, so I applied here for a master’s in biotechnology, which was one of my options during the application. After my application was sent, I had to wait two months for a reply.”

Although Asif could not afford multiple application fees, he soldiered on. He had heard of many aspirants failing to clear their visa interviews “because they could not really give any impressive answer to the visa officer,” he said, causing him more anxiety. Occasional doubts clouded his thoughts. His family was not rich.

He needed financial aid.

Students like Asif who experience doubts and struggles during their time at UHCL can visit the OAIP as well as Intercultural Student Services, which supports and guides international students by way of social groups and student mentors.

“I just kept my intentions and motives very clear in my mind,” Asif said. “I knew what I was capable of doing.”

After weeks of “pure hell,” as Asif put it, due to endless rounds of interviews and exhaustive paperwork, he received his visa. Asif soon became part of the UHCL student body and is “looking forward to having a good life.” He sounded optimistic about his chances.

“I hope to have a bright future,” he said.

campus communities

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A safe place to land

BY COLDEN SNOW The University of Houston-Clear Lake is a sort of microcosm of the cultural diversity present in the Houston metropolitan area. UHCL attracts many different kinds of students representing different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and gender identities.

UHCL is proud to be credited as a Hispanic Serving Institution and has a growing percentage of international students from countries including China, Vietnam and a large majority from India.

With Houston’s diverse population reflected in the population of UHCL, there is a place where all Hawks can land to be supported as well as be educated, the Office of Intercultural Student Services (ISS).

In the natural world there are many different kinds of Hawks and at UHCL our own students reflect that diversity. ISS offers all students a safe place to land, a place where they will be supported as they prepare to soar to new heights.

“We want everyone to [feel] safe and be comfortable [at UHCL],” said Linda Contreras Bullock, assistant dean of student diversity.

The ISS office is the center for cultural diversity at UHCL; they provide many different kinds of programs for students of all backgrounds.

LGBTQ PROGRAMS The Safe Zone provides support to LGBTQ students on campus. Safe Zone allies can be found in many areas on campus. All one has to do to find an ally is look for the rainbow triangle outside an office or displayed via a button with that same emblem.

That symbol means that it is a safe place for LGBTQ students to find support if they are struggling with something.

Students, faculty, and staff can all become Safe Zone allies once they become trained. Training is offered through the ISS office during the fall and spring semesters.

“If you don’t fall within that spectrum (LGBTQ), you know someone who falls

within that spectrum, so it is important to understand how to be an ally, and being an ally to one community helps you to understand how to be a better ally to other communities,” said Shaun Simon, coordinator of Women’s & LGBT Services.

WOMEN’S PROGRAMS ISS provides programs regarding women’s issues including domestic violence awareness programs and providing support to student organizations that provide support for women. It is important to note that these programs are not just for women but are intended to educate men as well. “[ISS is] a place open towards ending sexism and educating, and providing a space to work through those issues and become aware of them, subvert them and tackle them,” Simon said.

GENERATION ONE STUDENT PROGRAM ISS is also a safe place for first-generation college students and their parents to land. First-generation students are those whose parents and/or guardians did not go to college, and they are often the first in their family to attend college. ISS provides support for both first-generation students and their parents with the transition out of the public school system and into UHCL through its Generation One program.

“We would like to provide parents with a blueprint of how a university works,” Bullock said. “Why it works the way it does. The expectations of the student, which goes back to the parents insuring that those expectations are in line.”

These parent programs are crucial in

Intercultural Student Services ISS provides advocacy, guidance and support to enhance student success. ISS promotes the retention and empowerment of UHCL’s diverse student population, which includes racial ethnic groups, first generation, women, LGBT, international students, and all other under-represented student populations. iiss@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/iiss

SSCB 1.203 281.283.2575

The Safe Zone Program is a faculty and staff program designed to further the mission of the university by helping to create a safe and supportive campus environment for all members of the UHCL community.

Specifically, this program was created to address the unique needs of those members of the community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender. Safe Zone Allies serve as advocates and visible resources for the LGBT community.

On-Campus Housing University Forest Student Village University Forest, located right on Bay Area Boulevard at the entrance to UHCL, features studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom living options for students who would like to live on campus. info@universityforestuhcl.com www.universityforestuhcl.com

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2600 Bay Area Blvd.

281.2915.1803

MA X NE WLIN

helping students and families adjust to their new way of life, especially since many students will still live at home while attending UHCL. Bullock said the goal of this program will be “giving the student power in the classroom and at the university, and giving the parent power at home in order to help guide their child.”

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMS International students have always been a staple in the ISS office, often joining together for coffee in their lounge area.

Transitioning to college life can be difficult even for local students; it can be considerably more difficult to adjust to college in an entirely new country.

“International students have always been and will always be welcome in the ISS office,” Bullock said. “We have been really lucky in that we have always had a good relationship with our international students.

Bullock pointed out that is one relationship that will continue with the arrival of the first freshmen class.

Strictly Speaking is a program that pairs domestic students with international students to help mentor them in their transition to the United States. Additionally, every year the ISS office hosts programs for Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and other cultural heritage month programs.

Where hawks reside

BY SHEREA CARY

Hawk’s Landing is UHCL’s freshman living facility housed within University Forest Apartments, UHCL’s campus housing. Sixteen two-bedroom, two-bath apartments, or one entire building, is dedicated to freshmen.

Apartment units are fully furnished, ready to move in. Rental rates start at $250 per bed, per month (subject to change); rates are based on a 12-month lease and include an allowance for utilities.

Freshmen can pay for the lease in a lump sum or make monthly payments to establish rental history. A lease at Hawk’s Landing functions like any other apartment lease; violations of the lease contract, including breaking the lease, has consequences.

Amenities at Hawk’s Landing include Internet, a clubhouse with free wi-fi, limited-access gates and on-site laundry facilities. A swimming pool, spa, sand volleyball court and BBQ pavilion serve as recreational amenities to the property. A drug store, fine dining and fast food establishments are all within walking distance to Hawk’s Landing; some establishments even offer a student discount.

Residence assistants reside on property to help freshmen plan activities, answer their questions and to serve as a resource to residents navigating the unfamiliar territory of living independently.

Activities designed for freshmen to encourage networking and academic success are planned for residents of Hawk’s Landing. Residents will also have the opportunity to participate in activities planned for other housing residents, such as games and potluck diners. Easy access to campus activities such as art exhibits, movies and campus tradition such as the Chili Cook-Off, is a benefit of living on campus.

“Hawk’s Landing is a place to live, learn and grow,” said Lawrence Samaranayake, general manager of University Forest Apartments.

Freshmen receive the best of both worlds at Hawk’s Landing: independent living coupled with a supportive learning environment on campus designed to help freshmen grow and make the adjustment to college life.

Space is limited; apartments are leased on a first come, first served basis.

navigating the campus

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Student Service Classroom Building - SSCB Bayou Building - BB 123

SAc

Atrium 2

DOS

Atrium 1 AA

Librar

ONSP

SLO

y

Go Online!

Scan the QR Code to watch a virtual UHCL tour video by Leena Vuor.

Bookstore (BB 1206)

Cafeteria (BB 1418)

SAc

Student Assistance Center (SSCB 1.102)

Health Services (SSCB 1.301)

Student Success Center 3rd floor(SSCB 3.101)

Meditiation (BB 1220)

Police Station (BB 1636)

DOS

Dean of Students (SSCB 1.201)

Disability Services (SSCB 1.301)

Counseling Services 3rd floor (SSCB 3.103)

Orientation & New Student Program (SSCB 1.202)

Fitness Zone 2nd floor (SSCB 2.103)

Career Services 3rd floor (SSCB 3.109)

Intercultural Student Services (SSCB 1.203)

Writing Center 2nd floor (SSCB 2.105)

Veterans Service Office 3rd floor (SSCB 3.201)

Student Life Office (SSCB 1.204)

Computer Lab 2nd floor (SSCB 2.201)

The Signal Newspaper (BB 1239)

AA

Academic Advising (BB 1408) Art Gallery (BB 1412)

123 Librar

y

Math Center 2nd floor (BB 2127)

ONSP

Library 2nd floor (BB 2402) Theater (BB 2604)

SLO

The UHCl Hawk-tionary The quick reference guide to life as a UHCL Hawk!

BUS: School of Business CARE: Crisis Awareness Response Emergency Team CPS: Candidate Plan of Study DE: Distance Education DOS: Dean of Students HSH: Human Sciences and Humanities HSTC: Hawk Spirit and Traditions Council ISS: Intercultural Student Services NSO: New Student Orientation QEP: Quality Enhancement Plan

UHCL

HEALTH CENTER 281-283-2626

SSCB 1.301 www.uhcl.edu/health • • • • • • •

General Medical Laboratory Gynecology Pharmacy Vaccines Preventative Medical Alternative Medicine

SAC: SCE:

SGA: SLO: SOAR: SOE: SSC: TSI: UCT:

Student Assistance Center School of Science and Computer Engineering Student Government Association Student Life Office Student Orientation and Registration School of Education Student Success Center Texas Success Initiative University Computing

UHCL

POLICE DEPT. 24 Hour Dispatch:

281-283-2626

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